S: Leviticus 19:33-34 Don't mistreat any foreigners who live in your land. Instead, treat them as well as you treat your own people and love them as much as you love yourself. Remember, you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
O: The Levitical Law isn't in force on us as new testament believers, but I think the principle for this continues.
Mistreatment of foreign workers in Malaysia is rampant. Employers mistreat them. Police extort money from them. They're overworked, underpaid, etc. I shudder to think what judgement God might have in store for Malaysia if we continue in this way.
Tenaganita has many times in the past pointed out some of these abuses. Yet nothing seems to change. A lot of it is tied up in the current corrupt political system, but a lot of it is also tied up in ordinary Malaysians' attitudes and prejudices against foreigners.
Time and again I have heard good Christian Malaysians voice out prejudiced statements against foreigners -- that they bring crime, that they are being given ICs by the corrupt BN government so that they would vote for BN and prevent democratic change in Malaysia, etc.
While I agree that it is wrong for BN to give ICs to foreigners on the condition that they vote for BN, this shouldn't make us ignore what the Bible says against racism, and about treating foreigners properly. Many of us are descendents of immigrants ourselves, and I believe anyone who is willing to uproot themselves and move to another country and work hard should be given a chance.
Sure, if they commit crimes, they should, just like native-born people, be given a fair trial and punished if found guilty. But we shouldn't let our angst against BN make us victimize other people.
A: Yes, by all means, let us work against corruption and bring down the BN government, but let us also treat foreign workers with compassion and the love of Christ. As Christians, we should be the first the speak up against abuse of foreigners.
P: Father, I beg your mercy upon Malaysia. Please forgive us for how nastily we have treated foreigners in our midsts. May Malaysian change our attitudes and become more conformed to You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
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